125 Anniversary Celebrated

125 Anniversary Celebrated Woodville Baptist Church will celebrate its 125th anniversary on Sunday, July 31, with the dedication of a new gothic steeple erected to house the original bell. According to Raymond Johnson, oldest active member of the church, Sunday’s program will be in three parts. At 10:30, a special church service will be conducted by the former pastor, the Rev. George Bowman, III. This will be followed by dinner on the grounds. At 1:30, Master of Ceremonies B. L. Price will direct the dedication of the steeple. George Beard of Culpeper will make the dedication speech. Months of planning have gone into the day’s activities. Revival services will start Monday evening at 8 p.m. and continue through Friday with the Rev. Ronald Wiley of Sperryville as guest speaker. The Rev. B. Gale Titchenell, starting his 18th year as minister to the Woodville congregation,, will have a special, candle-light communion service on Saturday night, July 30, to dedicate the commemorative medallions that will be given to each person attending on Sunday. In 1852, when the church was started, candles and oil lamps were used to light the church. These will be recreated for the communion service. Woodville Baptist Church has struggled against many odds to keep alive. In 1929, the church building was destroyed by a freak tornado. In spite of the great depression, the church members worked together to rebuild the church and to pay off the indebtedness. So it has been with the steeple. Money is available; work is underway. A commemorative plaque listing those who have given and a new carpet for the church are additional projects that are also underway. The public is invited to come to the anniversary services and help the parishoners commemorate the steeple dedication. A special invitation is extended to anyone having roots in Woodville.